- Joined
- Dec 31, 2002
- Messages
- 574
- Reaction score
- 2
I didn't see a review of this program before. Felt I should include mine. It was my first interview so the details are a little fuzzy but I will post what I can remember. Just to echo what Hornsfan has said- any review I (or anyone else) have posted is an opinion. Many people differ on their preferences so don't read a review and be completely sold on or turned off by a program. They are only a slice of the pie that is the truth.
Interview Day: There was a social the night before my interview- I think they have one between two interview days so the people that interviewed that day and the people the next day go to it. It was at a resident's house at Seals Beach. The social was a casual bbq where we sat around and chilled/talked to everyone. I felt I got a good impression from it- the residents are close, fun-loving, jokesters. They like to work and party hard. They told me that a lot of them live at Seals Beach. Majority live within 30 mins driving distance of the UCI hospital.
Residents: Very laidback, fun, social group. Most of them were extremely enthusiastic to talk to me. I was one of their first interviews groups and I think they use the socials as a way to get together and drink/party. It seemed like despite the small group (6 residents/class) they socialize a lot more than other residencies I've seen.
Faculty: Attendings- I met only three. I loved Dr. Oman. She was down to earth and extremely laidback. My whole interview consisted of us talking about sports and musical interests. It was my first interview but she was extremely reassuring and it seemed like she is very nurturing of her residents as well. I got to sit in their grand rounds or didactics day. It was a pleasure to watch the attendings, residents, PD, chairman all be on a first name basis joking with each other. It seemed like that one of the requirements of going to UCI was that you had to be witty.
PD: See above.
Facilities: UCI Medical center was too me on first impressions the run of mill kinda Orange county hospitals. Not shiny and brand new but functional and not run down. It had a good size ED. They are working on expanding it. The trauma bay is a little crowded and if I remember that will be increased. They are in process of building a new hospital. Don't know if there will be a new ED or they will be splitting between the two buildings. Perhaps a resident can add to this. But it seemed like the ED was above average. I liked that the nurses and attendings got along really well with residents. While I was there on my second look, one of the residents had his laptop and he was showing other nurses some website. It seemed like a more family style atmosphere than elsewhere.
Location: UCI is off the 5 freeway- near Tustin. Actually not on the college campus. It's 30 mins away from the beach. Center of Orange county. Essentially the location affords the opportunity to be able to live anywhere in OC and be driving distance away. I woud love to be able to live at Newport or Seals Beach. With the recession and all, housing is more affordable than it was before. But this coming from NYC prices for me.
Curriculum: Standard 3 yr curriculum. 12 hour shifts. No floor time. They aren't a county level trauma center so you don't see tremendous trauma at the center. But they are the only level 1 trauma center in OC. So they do get a large catchment area for any MVAs, MIs, the rare GSW. I felt that coming here, it would be a great program to learn, develop and hone my skills to practice academics or community style EM.
Overall: I was endeared from the moment I walked into the social. Residents, attendings, nurses all get along so well. It's a tiny residency with 6 residents per class. I think this is done on purpose to foster a closeness. It could also be they don't see much in terms of volume. They excel or rock in ultrasound and place well in fellowships throughout country. I would suggest looking at the program if you are looking for a more personal education that is laidback and casual, tight-knit.
Interview Day: There was a social the night before my interview- I think they have one between two interview days so the people that interviewed that day and the people the next day go to it. It was at a resident's house at Seals Beach. The social was a casual bbq where we sat around and chilled/talked to everyone. I felt I got a good impression from it- the residents are close, fun-loving, jokesters. They like to work and party hard. They told me that a lot of them live at Seals Beach. Majority live within 30 mins driving distance of the UCI hospital.
Residents: Very laidback, fun, social group. Most of them were extremely enthusiastic to talk to me. I was one of their first interviews groups and I think they use the socials as a way to get together and drink/party. It seemed like despite the small group (6 residents/class) they socialize a lot more than other residencies I've seen.
Faculty: Attendings- I met only three. I loved Dr. Oman. She was down to earth and extremely laidback. My whole interview consisted of us talking about sports and musical interests. It was my first interview but she was extremely reassuring and it seemed like she is very nurturing of her residents as well. I got to sit in their grand rounds or didactics day. It was a pleasure to watch the attendings, residents, PD, chairman all be on a first name basis joking with each other. It seemed like that one of the requirements of going to UCI was that you had to be witty.
PD: See above.
Facilities: UCI Medical center was too me on first impressions the run of mill kinda Orange county hospitals. Not shiny and brand new but functional and not run down. It had a good size ED. They are working on expanding it. The trauma bay is a little crowded and if I remember that will be increased. They are in process of building a new hospital. Don't know if there will be a new ED or they will be splitting between the two buildings. Perhaps a resident can add to this. But it seemed like the ED was above average. I liked that the nurses and attendings got along really well with residents. While I was there on my second look, one of the residents had his laptop and he was showing other nurses some website. It seemed like a more family style atmosphere than elsewhere.
Location: UCI is off the 5 freeway- near Tustin. Actually not on the college campus. It's 30 mins away from the beach. Center of Orange county. Essentially the location affords the opportunity to be able to live anywhere in OC and be driving distance away. I woud love to be able to live at Newport or Seals Beach. With the recession and all, housing is more affordable than it was before. But this coming from NYC prices for me.
Curriculum: Standard 3 yr curriculum. 12 hour shifts. No floor time. They aren't a county level trauma center so you don't see tremendous trauma at the center. But they are the only level 1 trauma center in OC. So they do get a large catchment area for any MVAs, MIs, the rare GSW. I felt that coming here, it would be a great program to learn, develop and hone my skills to practice academics or community style EM.
Overall: I was endeared from the moment I walked into the social. Residents, attendings, nurses all get along so well. It's a tiny residency with 6 residents per class. I think this is done on purpose to foster a closeness. It could also be they don't see much in terms of volume. They excel or rock in ultrasound and place well in fellowships throughout country. I would suggest looking at the program if you are looking for a more personal education that is laidback and casual, tight-knit.
